Do you know that the Conch Fishery is the most valuable commercial fishery on Martha's Vineyard? The island fishermen land well over 1 million pounds of this shellfish every year. Where does it all go? How is it caught? What does it taste like? Who eats it?

Come to the Meet the Fleet program at the Chilmark Library and learn all about Conchs! Meet our local fishermen and ask all of your questions.

The Martha's Vineyard / Dukes County Fishermen's Association was created by the County Commission on February 25, 2009.

4. Educate ourselves and communicate with the community about the issues facing all of fishing.

5. Conduct the research necessary to advocate well.

For more information please contact Michele Johnes at 508-693-7652.

Report on activities (1/25/2013):

The Martha’s Vineyard / Dukes County Fishermen’s Association was started in mid winter 2009. We have now been in existence for four years. The Association has done a good job representing island fishermen at meetings of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, The New England Fisheries Management Council, The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries, and the Massachusetts State Legislature. We have brought both our State Senator Dan Wolf and our state Representative Tim Madden to our on island meetings. And at our urging the Massachusetts Fisheries Advisory Commission has held several of their meetings in Vineyard Haven to hear the opinions of Vineyard Fishermen.

We have raised our voices loud and clear to keep Striped Bass a commercial fish in Massachusetts, to prevent a moratorium on the selling of lobster in Southern New England, to restrict mid-water trawling for herring in our waters, and to evaluate proposals for new regulations on the landing of conch. The Association has worked hard to make sure a Vineyard voice is heard on regional fisheries issues.